Infamous Pol Pot Retires

September 3, 1985|United Press International

BANGKOK, THAILAND — The Khmer Rouge, the communist arm of Cambodia`s anti-Vietnamese coalition, Monday announced the retirement of Pol Pot, the supreme commander blamed for a genocidal campaign that killed from 1 million to 2 million Cambodians.

The retirement, which could be an attempt to satisfy Hanoi`s condition for talks to end Vietnam`s occupation of Cambodia, was announced in a communique dated Aug. 24 and broadcast by the Khmer Rouge Monday.

The report, monitored in Bangkok, said he will become director of the Higher Institute for National Defense, a research and officer training organization. Son Sen, deputy premier and defense minister, was nominated as his successor.

Pol Pot`s communist regime, popularly known as ``Angka`` or ``The Organization,`` ruled from April 1975 to January 1979.